VIDEO: Rare Amur tiger cubs born at safari park

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Published:14:05Monday 05 October 2015

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A pair of new arrivals has been welcomed at nearby Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire with the once in a generation birth of two critically endangered Amur tiger cubs.

The tigers are amongst the largest and rarest cats in the world, and the new cubs signify an important achievement not just for the Park, but for the international breeding programme of this threatened species.

Rare Amur tiger cubs havee been born at Woburn Safari Park

The as-yet unsexed cubs are the first to be born at Woburn Safari Park in 23 years; arriving overnight in the bespoke Tiger House and weighing in at a healthy 800-1200 grams. First time mother Minervam, who is four years old, is understandably protective of her new babies and the Park is delighted that she has taken to motherhood brilliantly, remaining settled and calm.

The proud new mother and her cubs are all together in a special private den, away from the public, with as little disturbance and noise as possible. The cubs will start to explore the nine acre tiger reserve in early 2016, until then they will continue to be under the constant watchful eye of their mother.

Genetically, Minerva is ranked as the seventh most important female in the captive tiger population across Europe and together with the cubs’ father Elton, they are a very important genetic match, coordinated by the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP).

There are 326 Amur tigers (also referred to as the Siberian tiger) in captivity across Europe and Russia, and only approximately 520 in the wild – a slight increase in wild numbers in the last 10 years.

One of the Amur tiger cubs with mum Minerva

Jo Cook, co-ordinator at Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance and also species co-ordinator for the European breeding programme (Europe & Russia) said Minerva was doing a great job as a new mum.

She said: “This is the first litter for Minerva and Elton and so far she’s doing a great job as a new mother, although there is still a lot for her to learn.

“These cubs will make an important contribution to the European breeding programme for Amur tigers, as Minerva in particular is genetically very important and doesn’t have many relatives in the population.

“Maintaining a healthy captive population of Amur tigers in zoos and parks is important because they act as an insurance population and can be used for reintroductions should that become a necessary conservation action to support wild Amur tigers.

“The tigers in captivity also help raise awareness and inspire visitors to do what they can to support these projects that are protecting these amazing animals in the Russian Far East and northeast China.

“Not only is Woburn Safari Park playing a role in the Amur tiger breeding programme, but it is also raising funds for the Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance which supports conservation activities such as anti-poaching and population monitoring in Russia and China.”

Woburn Safari Park is home to five Amur tigers; two females – Minerva and Neurka, one male - Elton, and the two new cubs. Their home in ‘Kingdom of the Carnivores’ is a specially designed nine acre enclosure complete with sleeping platforms and bathing pools as they are the only big cats that like water.